WELL

A HOLY WELL IN A TIDAL ZONE “ST. AUGUSTINE’S HOLY WELL

I was wandering at random around Galway city when I came across this ‘holy well’. St Augustine’s Holy Well is located on the water’s edge of Lough Atalia on the eastern edge of Galway city. This is the first time that I have seen a well in a tidal zone. This well was one of a set of three holy wells but now it is one of only two surviving holy wells in the vicinity of Galway and has been revered by generations of locals for its healing power, particularly for those with eye problems.

In 2000 the Trust's Community Employment scheme completed a major renovation of the location which involved improving access to the well, the erection of a retaining stone wall and the installation of a bench and commemorative plaque on site. A stone cross was also commissioned by the Trust to replace the concrete one which previously identified the site.